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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

From the David Letterman show --- the top ten thoughts that went through Paul Rudd's mind when an audience member vomited during his Broadway show:10. Is there a janitor in the house? 9. Not my worst review8. I've never been a fan of audience participation7. I was hoping for a standing ovation; instead I got projectile vomiting 6. Who says the golden age of theater is dead? 5. You've got to be kidding me -- right before my big vomiting scene? 4. I'll never complain about a cell phone ringing again 3. Up till now, I've never elicited more than a loud belch 2. What is this, the Ed Sullivan Theater? 1. Guess I'm not the only one who's drunk

Friday, November 16, 2012

Cheyenne's Jackson's cute abs couldn't save David West Read's The Performers, a plot less 90 minute sitcom of one liners about the pornindustry which opened on Broadway this past Wednesday. The Fonz couldn't save it either.And most definitely the overly generousC medianrating on StageGrade couldn't. Shame on those theater critics who dragged the median up. Shame on you!! However, reality has set in (Sandy didn't help either) and yes, The Performers will close before schedule - this Sunday according to the show's website, after only 7 performancesand 23 previews. Frankly theatergoers, don't be alarmed. You do not have to pay up to $197 for something that you can get from any comedy show on premium cable television or simply streaming the better-writtenBoogie Nights.My Top 3 Theater Review Titles for The PerformersMy review of “THE PERFORMERS” -- Straining to get it up [jesse21 ATC]Broadway comedy is X-tra dumb about porn industry's working stiffs [NYDN]XXX ‘Performers’ flaccid [NYP]

Monday, November 12, 2012

I knew nothing of Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944) prior to reading about Kathie Lee Gifford's new Broadway musical Scandalous. After experiencing a recent preview, I now have a basic and linear understanding of McPherson's biography. However, while the admirable Carolee Carmello who stars as McPerson gave an all-out performance, I left the Neil Simon Theatre not really grasping what it was about the controversial Aimee Semple McPherson, her message or the times that allowed her - a woman - to attract a multitude of followers to standing room only tent revivals and later a 5,300 seat Los Angeles temple. But even worse for this theaterlover, I walked away from West 52nd Street, not really moved by the music - not a good thing after an evening of musical theater.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Years ago, I discovered a face - one I could live better and more fully than anything I'd ever tried. But as the years went by, my face became my mask. And I became just another actor - running around in yellow face.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People is most produced play in US for 2012-13 season. Gwyneth Paltrow wants to bring Go-Gos musical to Broadway. Steven Spielberg is dyslexic. Mitt Romney likes but doesn't want to fund Big Bird. Meryl Street donates $1M to Public Theater. Playwrights Tony Speciale and Stan Richardson fight over Harvard "secret court" story. Facebook has 1B active users. James Bond film franchise celebrates 50 years. Audra McDonald and Will Swenson marry. Brooklynites Jay-Z and Barbara play the new Barclays Center. FBI charges Rebecca The Musical middleman Mark Hotton with fraud; Rebecca producers to file $100M lawsuit. Playwright Bruce Norris says NO to blackface casting of Clybourne Parkin Germany. Al Pacino pulls in $125K per week for Glengarry Glen Ross. Right before Halloween, scary Sandy pounds East Coast, darkening Broadway, crippling New York City, and wiping away some communities.